Decorative item with interchangeable setting

ABSTRACT

One possible embodiment could be a decorative item with an interchangeable setting for holding desired item(s). The decorative item could have a generally non-continuous circular body with two angled ends in between which is reversibly located an interchangeable setting having at least two angled setting sides. The securing device for substantially holding the interchangeable setting within the angled ends could generally comprise of a tensile force fit between the two angled setting sides and the angled ends; and the reversible reception of tabs of the interchangeable setting into slots of the body, which could generally resist the action of the force fit from ejecting the interchangeable setting from the body. The invention could further comprise interchangeable secondary design element(s), a key (allowing interchanging of the setting to the body) and an anti-rotation device (helping resist the rotation of the removable secondary design elements and interchangeable setting relative to the body.)

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention substantially relates to a decorative item, whichmay use a setting to hold and present desired articles such as preciousstones, semiprecious stones, artificial stones, cut glass and the like.More particularly, the invention generally relates to decorative itemsthat use interchangeable setting(s).

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, decorative items (e.g., jewelry such as rings, pendants,broaches, earrings and the like) have been used, in at least someinstances, to display desired articles. Desired articles are generallyfound appealing to eye and may include, but not necessarily be limitedto, precious stones, semi precious stones, artifacts which mimic thequalities of precious and semiprecious stones (e.g., cut glass andartificial stones), specially treated articles of metals and the like.In many instances, the desired article may be held securely to the bodyof the decorative item by a setting. The setting may be an integral partof or be become a substantially permanent part of the body of thedecorative item.

The placement of desired articles into the setting generally requiresthe special skills, training and knowledge found within the capabilitiesof a jeweler. The jeweler generally selects the appropriate setting andcorrectly securely the desired article(s) into the chosen so as todiminish the likelihood of the desired article(s) being damaged duringthe setting operation as well as substantially preventing any unwantedlater separation of the desired article from the decorative item. Suchsetting operations accordingly, generally require the expenditure oflabor, time and materials, the expense of which could significantly addto the costs of creating a lo decorative item. Due to such expenses andother factors, once such decorative item is created; it is substantiallyexpected to have a relatively long lifespan (e.g., “diamonds areforever”).

This longevity may raise the issues of obsolescence because thedecorative item may last significantly longer than the fashion period inwhich it was created. Thus, over a period of time, the overall design ofthe decorative item, rather than the qualities of its desired article(e.g., the size, shape or cut of the stone) may become dated (e.g., inthe taste of the owner and others), making the decorative item lessattractive and valuable. The current possessor of the older decorativeitem, in desiring more fashionable and appealing decorative items maywish to recycle the desired item(s) of the older decorative item ratherthan foster an appreciation (or at least recognizing sedimentary value)of an older generation's style for decorative items.

To recycle such desired item(s), the jeweler could be employed toremoved the desired articles(s) from the older decorative item andremount the desired article(s) into a new setting form a morecontemporary and fashionable decorative item. The newly creativedecorative item may also have new secondary design elements (e.g., sidesettings having clusters of smaller stones and like) which generally actas peripheral accents to the newly reset desired article(s).

This creation of a new decorative item by “recycling” a previously useddesired article may again result in substantial expenses (e.g., time,labor, and materials being invested in the creation). These expensescould include, but necessarily be limited to the costs of removal of thedesired article from its older decorative item, the costs of new body,the costs of new secondary design elements, cost of mounting newsecondary design elements to the new body, the costs of setting thedesired article into the new body. The expenses could also include themonetary loss associated with the general inability to reuse the olddiscarded mounting and old secondary design elements.

Further, certain desired articles, such as expensive precious stonessuch as opals, emeralds, and the like can be can be very fragile andeasily damaged when they are placed into or removed from a setting. Insome instances, the possibly of damage and loss in relation to the greatexpense of such desired articles is so great that many jewelers may turndown the requests to remount such an expensive, delicate precious stonesout of liability and insurance concerns.

The substantially permanent nature of the attachment of the components(e.g., desired articles, secondary design elements and the like) tocreate a desired item may limit the ability of nonjewelers (e.g., theordinary wearer of jewelry) to alter the jewelry because generally highlevel of knowledge, skills and like required to make such changes to thedesired article to suit the individual's particular tastes or to meetthe changes in fashion.

One possible solution to this issue is to create jewelry which may useinterchangeable settings. In this manner, interchangeable settings, eachpossibly having a different desired articles, may allow the differentdesired articles to generally be swapped in and out of different bodies(e.g., the bodies having different designs, shapes and sizes) tosubstantially form new decorative items through this interchanging ofsettings.

An example of a decorative item with an interchangeable setting could bea ring which could feature removable settings held onto the body by asecuring device (e.g. latches pivotally attached to the body of thering). The securing device may be operable when at least a portion ofthe finger of the wearer is inserted into at least a portion of thefinger-holding portion of the ring. Once the finger is removed from thering, the securing device may be deactivated and the setting may beremoved. This type of securing device may lead to the unwantedseparation of the interchangeable setting from the ring when the userintentionally takes the ring off their finger or the ring drops fromfinger to accidentally unlock the securing device and allow for theunwanted loss of the desired article (e.g., very expensive desiredarticle).

What is needed therefore is a decorative item with an interchangeablesetting holding a desired article, the decorative item substantiallyallowing an individual unskilled, untrained, unschooled in art ofjewelry construction to easily and securely interchange or removedesired article(s), secondary decorative elements and the like inrelation to the decorative item to create an essentially new decorativeitem, with updated the style and fashion. The decorative item with aninterchangeable setting could have a securing device for retaining thesetting to the body which does not substantially rely on the wearer'sfinger to activate the securing device. The decorative item with aninterchangeable setting could have a setting securing device, whichcould rely on a mechanical device such as a key to activate anddeactivate (e.g., lock and unlock) the setting securing device.

SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Advantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to reversibly remove a desired article from a decorativeitem and reversibly securely place the desired article securely onto anew decorative item without the services of jeweler;

provide a decorative item wherein a non-jeweler can reversibleinterchange a interchangeable setting from the decorative item;

provide a decorative item with a interchangeable setting for holding adesired article(s) that cannot be put into place or removed without theuse of a removal tool made for such operation; and

provide a decorative item in which the wearer and others may alter thelook of the jewelry without impeding the security afforded by thepermanent, non-interchangeable settings.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

One possible embodiment could be a decorative item comprising a bodycapable of receiving at least a portion of a user's finger, aninterchangeable setting capable of holding at least one desired article,a primary securing device, a primary locking device reversibly holdingthe interchangeable setting to the body using force fit that resultsfrom contact between the angled ends of the body and the angled settingsides of the interchangeable setting, a primary securing device toprevent the force fit from ejecting the interchangeable setting from thebody.

Another possible version of the embodiment could be a decorative itemcomprising a body having a plurality of angled ends forming a gapbetween the angled ends; an interchangeable setting, capable ofretaining one or more desired items a having a plurality of more angledsetting sides, a portion of the interchangeable setting being located inthe gap so that the angled setting sides may come into contact with itsrespective angled ends to provide a force fit between theinterchangeable setting and body; and a securing device comprising of atleast two or more tabs projecting from the interchangeable setting andtwo or more respective slots located on the body wherein the slots arecapable of reversibly receiving the tabs to prevent the force fit fromejecting the interchangeable setting from the body.

Another possible version could be a decorative item comprising: a fingerholding means for holding at least a portion of a finger; aninterchangeable setting means for holding at least one desired article;a securing means for holding the detachable setting means to thefinger-holding means; and an anti-rotation means for limiting thepossibility of the interchangeable setting means from rotating relativeto the finger-holding means.

The above-description sets forth, rather broadly, a summary of oneembodiment of the present invention so that the detailed descriptionthat follows may be better understood and contributions of the presentinvention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of the embodimentsof the present invention may not include all of the features orcharacteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that could be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of an embodiment ofthe invention

FIG. 2 is substantially a cross section elevation view of an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is substantially a perspective cutaway view of a spiralembodiment of the invention

FIG. 4 is substantially a cross section side view of a spiral embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 5 is substantially a partial cross section elevation view of anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is substantially a partial elevation cutaway view of anembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is substantially a partial perspective cutaway view of asecondary design embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is substantially a cross section elevation view of a secondarydesign embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is substantially a partial cross section elevation view of asecondary design embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is substantially a perspective view of a key embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 11 is substantially a cross section elevation view of a keyembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is substantially a perspective view of another key embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 13 is substantially a perspective view of a spiral key embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 14 is substantially a perspective view of a spiral key embodimentof the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one possible embodiment of theinvention could be a decorative item 5 having a body 22, aninterchangeable setting 24 (capable of holding a desired article[s] 12),and a setting retaining device 25, through which the body 22 mayreversibly hold the interchangeable setting 24. The setting retainerdevice 25 may used in conjunction with an exchange tool or key 30(substantially shown in FIGS. 10-14) to unlock the setting retainerdevice 25 to allow for the changing of the interchangeable setting 24from the body 22. The invention may additionally comprise of aninterchangeable secondary design element 31 (as substantially shown inFIGS. 7, 8, and 9), which may also secured to the decorative item 5 bythe setting retaining device 25 to provide a reversibly attachableperipheral accent(s) to the decorative item 5. The invention may furthercomprise of an anti-rotation device 47 which may prevent unwantedrotation of the interchangeable setting 24 (and any accompanyingsecondary design element[s]) in relation to the body 22 wherein they arebeing held.

The invention generally allows an unskilled individual (e.g., the owneror wearer of the decorative item) with the capacity to change out thereplaceable components of the decorative item 5 (e.g., interchangeablesetting 24, interchangeable secondary design element(s) 31 and thelike). This capability substantially provides the owner or wearer (e.g.,an operator of the invention) for a limited cost, an ability to createaround a desired article(s) 12 various different desired items 5 (e.g.,pieces of jewelry 10) which can be used to hold and display the desiredarticle(s) 12.

Although ring embodiment of the invention is substantially describedbelow, it should be keep in mind that other types of bodies (e.g. otherjewelry formats such a pin, broach, clasp, and the like) may also beused as well.

Finger-Holding Portion

In the ring embodiment of the invention, the body 22 (e.g., a shank)could further comprise a finger-holding portion 28. The finger-holdingportion 22 may reversibly engage at least a portion of one of thewearer's finger (not shown) to reversibly hold the invention to a fingerof a wearer of the decorative item 5. In one embodiment, thefinger-holding portion 28 may be a generally non-continuous, generallycurved rectangular band with at least two open ends 34 that may beseparated by a gap. Each of the open ends 34 could have a tip 38 and aplurality of end sides 36 and forming a gap could be generally definedby area between the non-touching ends 34 proximate to one another. Inthis manner, at least a portion of the interchangeable setting 24 couldbe fitted within and be reversibly retained within at least a portion ofthe gap. The interchangeable setting 24 being retained to the body 22 atleast partially by the tension force exerted by the two ends 34 againstat least a portion of the interchangeable setting 24. In at least oneembodiment of the invention, the tips 38 of the two ends 34 may beangled. In at least one embodiment, a set of the end sides 36 could beangled (as substantially shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 14)

As substantially shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 14, at least one embodiment ofthe invention could have a substantially helical or spiral-shapedfinger-holding portion 28 wherein one end 34 may overlap but not contactthe other end 34. This positioning of the ends 34 relative to oneanother may have one end side 36 of one end 34 face one end side 36 ofthe opposing end 36. In between this set of facing end sides 36 may formgap into which at least a portion of the interchangeable setting 24 maybe inserted and retained. Instead having the tips 38 being substantiallybeing angled and making contact with the interchangeable setting 24,this set of facing end sides 36 could be substantially angled and makingcontact with the interchangeable setting 24. The respective angles ofthe set of facing end sides 36 could be reciprocal to the respectiveangles of the angled setting sides 42 to which the facing end sides 36makes contact when the interchangeable setting 24 is reversibly held tothe body 22.

The construction of the finger-holding portion 28 could be made ofsuitable material(s) and in a suitable manner known to those who haveordinary skill to generally impart tension and resilience to the twoends 34 so that when appropriate force may be applied to the two ends 34to push them apart for the removal or introduction of interchangeablesetting 24 within the finger-holding portion 28, the ends 34 couldsubstantially move back to their original positions with respect to oneanother when the said force is removed. Such suitable materials mayinclude, but not be limited to various precious metal alloys such as10-24 karat gold and the like. Likewise, the key 30 (substantially shownin FIGS. 10-14) could also be constructed in at least one embodiment, tohave a range or capability being to reversibly impart a force sufficientfurther spread apart the ends 34 of the body 22 (e.g., increase thewidth or size of the gap) wherein the body 22 may hold at least aportion of the interchangeable setting 24. This force could besufficient to generally overcome the tension imparted by the two ends 34upon the interchangeable setting 24 but not to permanently damage orotherwise impair the resilience of the two ends 34 (e.g., the generalability of the two ends to move back to their original positions oncethe force is removed).

Interchangeable Setting

The interchangeable setting 24 could be comprised of top 40, bottom 41and setting sides 42. The top 40 may comprise of a desired articleretention means 43 to retain the desired article 12 to theinterchangeable setting 24. This desired article retention means 43could include traditional jewel securing mechanisms or devices such as abasket, (e.g., a plurality of prongs wherein the prongs maysubstantially project upward so as to be able to generally grasp andsecure a desired article 12), a bezel, a wire basket, and the like whichare generally known to those who have ordinary skill in the art. Theinterchangeable setting 24 could be constructed using various methodsand materials known by those with ordinary skill in the art and still beconsidered within the purview of the invention.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the interchangeable setting24 may have a plurality of setting sides 42 with at least two of thosesetting sides 42, which may come into contact with the angled ends 34 ofthe body 22, generally being angled. In at least one embodiment, theangles of the two angled setting sides 42 could be reciprocal to therespective angles of their respective angled ends 34 (e.g., the angledtips 38 or the respective angled end sides 36) that come into contactwith the angled setting sides 42 when the interchangeable setting 24 isretained by the body 22.

The Setting Retaining Device

In at least one embodiment, the setting retaining device 25 could have aprimary securing device 32 and a secondary securing device 44. Theprimary securing device 32 (which may be used in contemporaneously withthe secondary securing device 44) may use the tension imparted by thebody 22 either directly or indirectly (e.g., the secondary designelement embodiment as discussed below) upon the interchangeable setting24 to create a force fit between the angled setting sides 42 (of theinterchangeable setting 24) and the respective angled tips 38 (or therespective angled end sides 36 for the spiral embodiment of the body 22)of the ends 34 of the body 22. The tensile force imparted by the angledends 34 upon the respective angled setting sides 36 may impart an upwardmotion to the interchangeable setting 24 (if not otherwise restricted bythe secondary securing device 44) whereby the tensile force has atendency to force the interchangeable setting 24 up and out of contactwith the ends 34.

The secondary securing device 44 in generally resisting this upwardmotion of the tensile force of the ends 34 may comprise of a set of tabs45 and respective slots 46. In at least one version of this embodiment,the tab 45 may project outward from the interchangeable setting 24proximate to the bottom of a respective angled setting side 42 that maycome into contact with a respective angled end 34. A slot 46, in atleast one version, could be an open-bottomed channel located on thebottom of a respective angled end 34. The tab 45 could reversibly engagethe respective slot 46 when angled setting side 42 comes into reversiblecontact with the angled end 34 as the interchangeable setting 24 isreversibly retained by the body 22. In this manner, two sets of tabs 45and slots 46, one set for each end 34 and respective angled setting side42, could be employed by the invention as the secondary securing device44 to substantially resist the generally upward motion imposed upon theinterchangeable setting 24.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 9, another embodiment of thesecondary securing device 44 could have the tabs 45 and slots 46generally located on the midsections of the angled setting sides 42 andthe respective angled end sides 36 (or the angled end tips 38-notshown). In one version, the tabs 45 are located on the midsections ofthe angled setting sides 42 and are reversibly received by respectiveslots 46 located on the midsections of the respective angled end sides36 (or the angled end tips 38). In another version, the placement of thetabs 45 and slots 46 may be reversed so that the tabs 45 are located onthe midsections of the angled end sides 36 (or the angled end tips38-not shown) and are reversibly received by respective slots 46generally located on the midsection of the respective angled settingsides 36.

Anti-Rotation Device

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the invention could furthercomprise an anti-rotation device, which could feature a protrusion 48and receptacle 50, to prevent unwanted rotation of the interchangeablesetting 24 relative to the body 22. This rotation could come about byunintended or unwanted contact of the decorative item 5 with anotherobject such as when the decorative item is dropped and hits a surfacesuch as a floor. In such an instance, the force of the impact couldcause interchangeable setting 24 to rotate between the ends 34 andpossibly disengaging the secondary securing device 44. With thedisengagement of the secondary securing device 44, the angled contactbetween the interchangeable setting 24 and the ends 34 along with thetensile force applied by the ends 34 to the interchangeable setting 24could cause the interchangeable setting 24 to move upward and out ofcontact with the body 22.

The protrusion 48 could be perpendicularly oriented (e.g., to itrespective plane of the tab 45) and be substantially located at the freeend of the tab 45. The protrusion 48 could be reversibly received by areceptacle 50 which is located within the slot 46. The receptacle 50similarly could be a perpendicularly oriented to the plane of its slot46. The reversible locking of the protrusion 48 within the receptacle 50could help resist unwanted rotation of the interchangeable setting 24within the angled ends 34 of the body 22.

Generally speaking, the protrusions 48 and receptacles 50 of theanti-rotation device 47 are not necessary employed in the embodimentusing the midsection positioning of the secondary securing device 44(e.g., the tabs 45 and slots 46.) Generally, the midsection positioningof the tabs 45 and slots 46 may be substantially sufficient by itself toprevent unwanted rotation of the interchangeable setting 24 within thebody 22.

Secondary Design Elements

As substantially shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, at least one embodiment ofthe invention may comprise one or more interchangeable secondary designelements 31. The secondary design element 31 may be designed to as togenerally fit between and be substantially retained by the angledsetting side and the angled end 34. In this manner, the secondary designelement 31 may feature an element body 52 with respective element top56, element bottom 58 and element sides 54. The top 56 could feature oneor more desired article retention means 43 to retain the desired article12 (and/or several smaller desired articles 12) to the element body 52.The desired article retention means 43 are well known to those who haveordinary skill in the art and could include but not necessarily belimited to prongs, a bezel, a wire basket and the like.

At least two of the element sides 54 could be angled. The angle of thefirst angled element side 54 could be substantially reciprocal (e.g.complementary) to the angle of an angled setting side 42 that comes intocontact with first angled element side 54. The angle of the secondangled element side 54 could be substantially reciprocal to the angle ofthe respective angled end side 36 (or angled tip 38) of an end 34 thatmay come into contact with the second angled element side 54. In atleast on version of this embodiment, the angles of the two angledelement sides 54 (of the interchangeable secondary design element 31)could be substantially reciprocal (complementary) to one another ascould the angle of the angled end side 36 (or angled tip 38) could be toangle of the angled setting side 42.

By having angled surfaces (angled setting side 42 of interchangeablesetting 24 to first angled element side 54; a second angled element sideto an angled end side 36 or angled tip 38 of a body 22) which may becomplementary could provide a continuation of the tensile force providedby the primary securing device 32 upon (indirectly) the interchangeablesetting 24. Similarly, the interchangeable secondary design element 31could further comprise the secondary securing device 44 to resist theupward motion (of the interchangeable secondary design element 31) thatis imparted by the primary securing device 32. The secondary securingdevice 44 could comprise of sets of tabs 45 and respective slots 46 bythe interchangeable secondary design element 31. The sets of tabs 45 andrespective slots 46 by the interchangeable secondary design element 31,which could reversibly interlock with the respective sets of tabs 45 andslots 46 (e.g., secondary securing device 44) as deployed by theinterchangeable setting 24 and the body 22. In this manner, thesecondary securing device 44 may also be used with interchangeablesecondary design element 31 to substantially resist the tension forceimparted by the primary securing device 32 upon interchangeablesecondary design element 31 and thereby generally preventing the upwardpushing of the interchangeable secondary design element 31 out ofcontact with the interchangeable setting 24 and the body 22.

Additionally, the interchangeable secondary design element 31 couldfurther incorporate use of the anti-rotation device 47 (or componentsthereof, such as protrusions 48 and receptacles 50) with its tabs 45 andslots 46. The protrusion(s) 48 of the interchangeable secondary designelement 31 could be perpendicularly oriented to the plane of the tab 45of the interchangeable secondary design element 31 and be substantiallylocated at the free end of that tab 45. Similarity, the receptacle 50 ofthe interchangeable secondary design element 31 could be aperpendicularly oriented to the plane of the slot 46 of theinterchangeable secondary design element 31.

The anti-rotation device 47 as employed by the interchangeable secondarydesign element 31 could interact with the anti-rotation device 47 asemployed by the interchangeable setting 24 and the body 22. Therefore,the receptacle 50 of interchangeable secondary design element 31 couldso orientated and placed as to generally reversibly receive theprotrusion 48 of the tab 45 of the setting side 42 of theinterchangeable setting 24. The projection 50 of the interchangeablesecondary design element 31 could also be so orientated and be so placedas to be generally reversibly received by the receptacle 50 of theangled end 34 of the body 22. In the above manner, the anti-rotationdevice 47 may be applied or otherwise substantially incorporated withinthe interchangeable secondary design element 31 to substantially preventthe unwanted rotation of interchangeable secondary design element 31between the angled end of the body 22 and the interchangeable setting24.

Unwanted rotation of the interchangeable secondary design element 31could occur, for example, when the invention is accidentally dropped andcomes into an unwanted impact with the floor. The force of this impactupon the interchangeable secondary design element 31 could rotate itrespective to the body 22 and the interchangeable setting 24 thuspossibly disconnecting the secondary securing device 44 of theinterchangeable secondary design element 31 (e.g., the removal of theprotrusions 48 from their respective receptacles 50) and allowing thetensile force of the primary securing device to move the interchangeablesecondary design element 31 upward and generally out of contact with thebody 22 and the interchangeable setting 24. This escape of theinterchangeable secondary design element 31 could also afford theundesired release of the interchangeable setting 24 from the body 22.This spontaneous disassembly of the invention could lead to thescattering and subsequent unwanted loss of various components (e.g.,interchangeable secondary design element 31, interchangeable setting 24)of the invention potentially causing severe stress to the inventionoperator.

Key

As substantially shown in FIGS. 10-14, a key 30 may be used to exertforce upon the body 22 to allow the removal, insertion and the like ofthe interchangeable setting(s) 24 (and any accompanying interchangeablesecondary design elements 31). The key could be used to temporarilyfurther spread apart the angled ends 34 of the body 22 (e.g., increasethe size of the gap) to substantially facilitate the release (orattachment) of the interchangeable setting 24 to the body 22. In atleast one embodiment, the key 30 could comprise of a key body 66, aspreader 68, and a knob 70. The key body 66 could a cylindrical tube 72with two open tube ends, first tube end 74 and a second tube end 76,which connect a generally hollow tube interior 78 to the tube exterior80. The first tube end 74 may also have a slit 81 extending from thefirst tube end 74 longitudinally along a portion of the key body 66.

The tube interior 78 may have at least two radial ridges, a first ridge84 and a second ridge 86. The first ridge 84 may be located proximate tothe midsection of the tube interior 78 while the second ridge 86 may belocated proximate to the second tube end 76. In this manner, the knob70, which may further comprise of a threaded shaft 88 projecting outwardfrom one end of the knob 70, may be placed at the second tube end 76 sothat that an end of the knob 70 may movably rest against a portion ofthe second ridge 86. In this position, at least a portion of thethreaded shaft 88 may generally project through the tube interior 78.The conical-shaped spreader 68 with a threaded conduit 92 passingthrough its radial center can be placed proximate to the first tube end74 so that the threaded conduit 92 may reversibly engage at least aportion of the otherwise unattached end of the threaded shaft 88.

The key body 66 may be so constructed from materials and methodologiesknown in the art so as to impart proper tension and resilience to thekey body 66 for the reversibly flaring of the first tube end 74 alongthe slit 81. This tension and resilience could allow the entry of aconically shaped spreader 68 into at least a portion of the key interior78 though the first tube end 74. As the conical-shaped spreader 68 isdrawn into the tube interior 78, the angled sides of the spreader 68 maymake contact with and push against the tube interior 78. This entrymovement of the spreader 68 can induce the flaring of the first tube end74. When the progress of the spreader 68 inward is reversed and it isgenerally moved outward away from the tube interior 78, general removalof the angled sides of spreader 68 from the tube interior 78 will allowresilience of the key body 30 to substantially move the first tube end74 back to its generally unflared state.

The turning of the knob 70 (and its threaded shaft 88) may be used tomove the spreader 68 relative to the tube interior 78 proximate to thefirst tube end 74. The turning of the knob 70 (e.g., threaded shaft 68)in one direction may withdraw at least a portion of the spreader 66within at least a portion of the tube interior 78 to generally flare thefirst tube end 74. The turning of the knob 70 (e.g., threaded shaft 68)in the other direction may push at least a portion of the spreader 66out of contact with at least a portion of the tube interior 78 togenerally allow the first tube end 74 to go back to it initial state.

In at least one embodiment, a portion of the tube exterior 80 proximateto the first tube end 74 may be reversibly fitted with a split collet(or collar) 82 which is stepped to allow the proper reversible fittingof the key 30 to various bodies 22 (e.g. rings 16 whose finger-holdingportions 28 have different interior diameters). The split collet 82 mayfurther comprise of a collet split 83 which facilities the expansion ofthe collet 82 by the operation of the key 30. The split collet 82 couldbe so constructed that when it and the body 22 are being expanded by thekey 30, the collet split 83 could be sufficiently wide enough togenerally accommodate at least a portion of the interchangeable setting24 (and any accompanying interchangeable secondary design elements 31)that have drop down from the body 22 during this expansion.

In operation of the invention, to allow the substantial changing out,insertion, removal and the like of the interchangeable setting 24 (andany associated interchangeable secondary design element[s] 31) relativeto the body 22, an invention operator may place or fit a split collet 82proximate to the first tube end 74. The invention operator then may fitthe desired item (e.g. ring 16) on to the ring so that the steppedcollet 82 makes substantial contact with the finger-holding portion 28(e.g., interior diameter of the body 22). The collet split may be sooriented so that the collet split 83 may receive at least a portion ofthe interchangeable setting 22 (and any associated interchangeablesecondary design element[s] 31) when the first tube end 74 is flared toexpand the collet 82 and the fitted body 22. When the spreader 68 comesinto contact against the first ridge 84 (to limit the movement of thespreader 68 in the key interior 78) this limitation prevents thespreader 68 from exceeding the resilience of both the body 22, splitcollet 82, and the key body 66 proximate to the first tube end 74.

As invention operator turns the knob 70 to flare the first tub end 74,the flaring generally expands the collet 82 (along the collet split 83)and finger-holding portion 28 to substantially further force apart theends 34 of the fitted body 22. This action then generally deactivatesthe setting retaining device 25 (e.g., by operating against the tensileforce provided by the ends 34 in the primary security device 32 andallowing the invention operator to substantially remove the tabs 45 fromtheir respective slots 46 for deactivation of the secondary securitydevice 44.) Additionally, this action may also facilitate for thedeactivation of the anti-rotation device 47 by allowing inventionoperator to remove any protrusions 48 from contact with their respectivereceptacles 50.

As the setting retainer device 25 and the anti-rotation devices 47 aredeactivated or otherwise disengaged, the invention operator may insert,release, exchange and the like the interchangeable setting(s) 24 (andany associated interchangeable secondary design[s] 31) relative to thebody 22. In this manner, the various components of decorative items 5can be interchanged with other such components to create new desireditems 5 around an interchangeable setting 24.

Once the new decorative item 5 is assembled (or the old decorative item5 is dissembled, and the like), the invention operator can turn the knob70 in the other direction to move the spreader 68 generally away fromthe key interior 80 to reduce the flaring and substantially allow thekey body 66, split collet 83, and the finger-holding portion 28 (e.g.,body 22) to go back to their initial shapes. At this point, thedecorative item 5 (or if the decorative item 5 has been disassembled,then the body 22) could then be removed from the key 30.

As substantially shown in FIG. 12, at least one embodiment of the key 30could be a modified inside ring holder 200, product number #004-679 asprovided, GRS Tools, 900 Overlander Road, Emporia, Kans. 66801. Theinside ring holder 200 is generally used to reversibly attach a ring 16to a mount 202 which may then be clamped in a vise (not shown) thusholding the ring 16 to allow the jeweler to work on it. The inside ringholder 200 may comprise of a mount 202, a polymer split collet 204, ametal collet 206, and a screw 208. The mount 202 may have two ends witha threaded aperture 210 at one end and a vise-holding portion 220 at theother end. The polymer split collet 204 may have split 212 and may havea conical central channel 214 whose sides are tapered (e.g.,cone-shaped). The metal collet 206 may have an exterior conical shapewith central channel 216. At least a portion of the metal collet 206 isgenerally placed into at least a portion of the conical center channel214 of the split polymer collet 204 so that at least a portion of thetapered sides of the conical center channel 214 may come intosubstantial contact with at least a portion of the tapered sides of theexterior of the metal collet 206. The treaded portion of screw 208generally passes through portions of conical central channel 214 andcentral channel 216 to reversibly engage threaded aperture 210 of themount 202. As the screw 208 is tightened into the mount 202, its headmay impact upon the top of the metal collet 206 generally forcing themetal collet 206 deeper into the conical central channel 214 of thepolymer split collet 204. This action substantially expands the polymersplit collet 204 and generally forces it apart at its split 212 in acontrolled fashion. An appropriate sized polymer split collet 204 isused for a ring 16 of a specific size allowing the selected polymersplit collet 204 (e.g., of an assembled inside ring holder 200) to begenerally inserted into the finger-holding portion 28. As the screw istighten, the polymer split collet 204 may be expanded against thefinger-holding portion 28 of the ring 16 to allow the modified insidering holder 200 to firmly grasp and secure the ring 16 to the insidering holder 202. As the screw 208 is further tightened, the inside ringholder 200 applies sufficient pressure to the body 22 so as to generallyfurther force apart the angled ends 34 and increase the gap between theangled ends 34.

The modified inside ring holder 200 has an enlarged split 212 whoseincreased width could be used with the decorative item 5 to facilitatethe interchanging (e.g., insertion, removal) of components of thedecorative item 5 by allowing at least a portion of the interchangeablesetting 24 (and any associated interchangeable secondary design element31) to drop into at least. a portion of the enlarged split 212 when thebody 22 is being expanded by the modified inside ring holder 200.Further, the metal collet 206 could be also designed, when tightened, tobottom out against the mount 202 prior to exceeding the resiliencelimitations of the body 22. At least a portion of the portion of theinterchangeable setting 24 (and any accompanying interchangeablesecondary design elements 31) could fit within at least a portion of theenlarged split 212 to generally allow the invention operator to access(for the removal or insertion) of the interchangeable setting 24 and anyaccompanying interchangeable secondary design elements 31 from the ring16 while the ring 16 is still being held in an expanded state by themodified inside ring holder 200.

At that time of the invention operator so desires, anotherinterchangeable setting 24 (and any accompanying interchangeablesecondary design elements 31) could be inserted into the enlarged split212 and lifted up to the angled ends 34 for proper engagement with thefinger-holding portion 28 of the ring 16. Carefully, not to pinchfingers, the invention operator may untighten the screw 208, thusallowing the finger-holding portion 28, the metal collet 206 and thepolymer split collar 204 to return to their respective original sizes.This action could allow the angled ends 34 to go back to their originalposition to fully engage this other interchangeable setting 24 (and anyaccompanying interchangeable secondary design elements 31). At thispoint, the assembled new decorative item 5 could be slipped off themodified inside ring holder 200 allowing the invention operator if sodesired to wear the new decorative item 5.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the spiral-shaped ring 16embodiments of the invention may use a spiral key 100 embodiment of thekey 30 to release the interchangeable setting 24 (and any accompanyinginterchangeable secondary deign elements 31). The spiral key 100 mayhave a two-ended shaft 102 at which a cam 104 is attached at one end.The other free end may be curled or have an enlarged handle (not shown)to provide the invention operator with better gripping for turning ofthe spiral key 100. By inserting the cam 104 between the respective ends34 and twisting the shaft 102, the cam 104 may move against the ends 34to spread them apart sufficiently for the removal, insertion, exchangeof the interchangeable setting 24 (and any associated interchangeablesecondary designs, 31) as discussed in greater detail above to create anew decorative item 5.

The Kit-Service

The invention can be sold as a kit (not shown), the kit possiblycomprising of a box with an openable lid having a generally hollowcompartmented interior. The lid exterior could bear indicia generallyindicating among other information, trademarks, brand names under whichthe kit is sold, content information including applicable ring size andthe like. The compartmented interior could contain various articles suchas invention operating instructions, one or more interchangeablesettings 24 containing previously set desired articles 12; a pluralityof bodies 22; a plurality of interchangeable secondary design elements31; at least one key 30; and the like.

In this manner, the invention operator, upon receipt of the kit, couldcreate various and distinct decorative items 5 with just one or somounted desired articles 12. In addition to rings 16, it is possiblethat bodies 22 could be for earrings, broaches, pendants and the like.These other bodies 22 could be designed to be capable of substantiallyreversibly accepting interchangeable settings 24, interchangeablesecondary design elements 31, and the like to allow the inventionoperator to create different types of pieces of jewelry 10 with alimited number of mounted desired articles (e.g., interchangeablesettings 24).

The kit could be sold as part of an ongoing subscription service whereinthe user or wearer of the invention could tender consideration to theservice (or other suitable entity) which in turn could then supply theinvention operator (e.g., on a periodic or other pre-agreed upon basis)with new designs of bodies 22, new interchangeable secondary designelements 31, as well as new interchangeable settings 24 mounting newdesired articles 12. This supplying of new components for the inventioncould allow the wearer such desired items 5 to receive new andfashionable invention components (e.g., bodies 22, keys 30,interchangeable settings 24 with respective desired articles 12,secondary design elements 31) which the wearer could fashion, using theinvention, into current and dynamic decorative items 5 with minimizedcost and effort.

CONCLUSION

As discussed in greater detail above, the invention allows one unskilledin the jewelry arts to create new and different pieces of jewelry usingan interchangeable setting. The invention allows the user to create newand different pieces of jewelry with minimum cost and effort. The use ofa key to assemble and disassemble the jewelry further allows the jewelryto retain its removable components in a secure fashion and limitspossibility of spontaneous disassembly of the decorative item.

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents ratherthan by the examples given.

1. A decorative item comprising: (A) a body, the body being capable ofreceiving at least a portion of a user's finger, the body beingcomprised of a non-continuous band having two angled ends, and (B) aninterchangeable setting, the interchangeable setting capable of holdingat least one desired article, the interchangeable setting having atleast two angled setting sides; (C) a primary securing device, theprimary securing device reversibly holding the interchangeable settingto the body by a force fit which occurs as a result of contact betweenthe angled ends and the angled setting sides, and (D) a secondarysecuring device, the secondary securing device preventing the force fitfrom ejecting the interchangeable setting from the body.
 2. A decorativeitem of claim 1 wherein the angle of the angled setting side and theangle of its respective angled end are complementary.
 3. A decorativeitem of claim 1 wherein the secondary securing device comprises of atleast one tab projecting from the interchangeable setting and at leastone reciprocal slot located on the angled end, wherein the tab may bereversibly received by the respective slot.
 4. A decorative item ofclaim 3 wherein the slot is located on the underside of the angled endand the tab is located proximate to the bottom of the angled side of theinterchangeable setting.
 5. A decorative item of claim 3 furthercomprising an anti-rotation device which prevents the interchangeablesetting from rotating relative to the body.
 6. A decorative item ofclaim 1 wherein the angled portion of angled end is an angled tip.
 7. Adecorative item of claim 1 wherein the body is spiral shaped withoverlapping angled ends and the angled portion of the angled ends areangled end sides.
 8. A decorative item of claim 1 further comprising aninterchangeable secondary design element, the interchangeable secondarydesign element featuring a secondary design element body capable ofretaining a desired item and having at least two angled element sideswith at least a portion of the two angled element sides being removeablylocated between one angled end of the body and its respective angledside of the interchangeable setting.
 9. A decorative item of claim 8wherein the interchangeable secondary design element body furtherfeatures at least one slot to reversibly receive at least one tab fromat least one respective one angled side of the interchangeable setting.10. A decorative item of claim 9 wherein the slot further comprises areceptacle and the tab further features a projection, the receptaclebeing capable of reversibly receiving the projection.
 11. A decorativeitem of claim 9 wherein the interchangeable secondary design elementbody further features at least one tab projecting outward to bereversibly received by at least one respective slot located on the oneangled end of the body.
 12. A decorative item of claim 11 wherein theslot further comprises a receptacle and the tab further comprises aprojection, the receptacle being capable of reversibly receiving theprojection.
 13. A decorative item comprising: (A) a body, the bodycomprising of a bar having a non-continuous circular shape with twoangled ends forming a gap between the angled ends; (B) aninterchangeable setting, the interchangeable setting capable ofretaining one or more desired items and having at least two or moreangled setting sides, a portion of the interchangeable setting beinglocated in the gap so that the angled setting side may come into contactwith its respective angled end to provide a force fit between theinterchangeable setting and body; and (C) a setting securing devicecomprising of at least two or more tabs projecting from theinterchangeable setting and two or more respective slots located on thebody wherein the slots are capable of reversibly receiving the tabs toprevent the force fit from ejecting the interchangeable setting from thebody.
 14. A decorative item of claim 13 further comprising a key, thekey being used to force further apart the two angled ends to allow theinterchangeable setting to be interchanged with the body.
 15. Adecorative item of claim 13 further comprising anti-rotation device toprevent the interchangeable setting from rotating relative to-the body.16. A decorative item of claim 13 further comprises an interchangeablesecondary design element having one or more desired articles, at least aportion of the interchangeable secondary design element being reversiblylocated between the interchangeable setting and its respective angledend.
 17. A decorative item comprising: (A) a finger-holding means forholding at least a portion of a finger; (B) an interchangeable settingmeans for holding at least one desired article; (C) a setting retainingmeans for reversibly holding the interchangeable setting means to thefinger-holding means; and (D) an anti-rotation means for limiting thepossibility of the interchangeable setting means from rotating relativeto the finger-holding means.
 18. A decorative item of claim 17 furthercomprising a key means for temporarily rendering the setting retainingmeans inoperative.
 19. A decorative item of claim 17 further comprisingan interchangeable secondary design element means for providingreversibly attachable peripheral accent to the decorative item.
 20. Adecorative item of claim 17 wherein the setting retaining means furthercomprises a primary securing means for applying a tensile force capableof imparting an upward motion upon the interchangeable setting relativeto the finger-holding means and a secondary securing means for providingan capability to resist the upward motion.